Boat



July 116, 1935.

G. E. GRENIER BOAT Filed July 19, 1955 J; .j- A? 5 A5 5 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor zmsmg G. E. GRENIER BOAT July 16, 1935.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19, 1933 Inuenior ewyeE 'ren zier July 16, 1935. E, EN 2,008,249

BOAT

Filed July 19, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOAT George E. Grenier, Lake Hopatcong, N. Y.

Application July 19, 1933, Serial No. 681,206

1 Claim. (Cl. 115-49) This invention relates to boats and more particularly to a drive for paddle wheel boats.

The objects of the invention are (l) to eliminate a draft of the boat so that it will float in six inches of water; (2) to eliminate the torque of the motor which, as is well known, is not only dangerous, but very disagreeable; (3) obtain maximum speed with minimum horse power at the same time insure smooth riding of the boat, and (4) provide an eiiicient paddle wheel having certain features distinctly characterizing it over paddle wheels now generally in use.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood at the outset that it is in no wise intended to restrict the invention to the precise details of construction, combination and arrangement of elements as herein illustrated and described, other than may be necessary to meet the requirements of the prior art and scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a boat embodying the features of the present inventionv Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side clevational view of the boat with certain parts broken away and shown in section.

Figure 4 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view showing a channel to be hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View through the improved paddle wheel, and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through the paddle wheel.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that H] indicates generally the hull of the boat, and for the most part the same may be of any suitable construction and shape, preferably corresponding in shape to the hull of speedboats as at present constructed. The passenger compartment is indicated by reference numeral II, and in the present instance the passenger compartment, as shown, is located rearwardly of the transverse center line of the boat. Forwardly of the compartment H is an engine room or compartment l2, and in the present instance there are mounted within the compartment l2 two prime movers l3 extending transversely of the boat. The prime movers are of well known form, such as internal combustion engines and the shafts of the engine are indicated by reference numerals 14. Prime movers l3 are so relatively arranged as to have the shaft I4 of one prime mover connected by chain and sprocket means it with a paddle wheel I6 provided at one side of the compartment H, and the shaft 5 3 of the other prime mover similarly connected with the second paddle wheel disposed at the side of the compartment H opposite to the first named paddle wheel.

Each propeller I5 is constructed of wood or any other suitable material and comprises a hub I? having secured thereto in any suitable manner, preferably by being integral therewith spokes it which at their outer ends are secured to a rim it. In the present instance the rim I9 is channel shaped in cross section and provided with a plurality of transverse partitions or vanes iii arranged therein in line with the spokes I8 as will be clear from a study of Figures 5 and 6.

In having the rim IQ of channel formation in cross section and provided with the vanes 2!! pockets are formed which will serve to carry the water from forward to aft; and also substantially stop the water from running up the spokes toward the hub, thus insuring maximum propulsion power as otherwise the water running along the spokes toward the hub would offer undesirable resistance resulting in a waste of power. Also, the sides of the channel provide retainers at opposite sides of the wheel which prevent slippage thereby insuring full efiiciency.

Further to reduce resistance there are provided in the bottom of the boat rearwardly of the compartment H channels 2! arranged at opposite sides of the boat and in line with the paddle wheels it. The bottom of the boat forming the top wall of the channels 2! are curved as shown particularly in Figure 3 giving the Water free passage through the channel, and eliminating, rearwardly of the paddle wheel squared or flat corner portions or surfaces against which the water may strike resulting in undesirable resistance and cutting down the speed of the boat.

Having thus described'my invention, what I claim as new is.

A, boat having in combination a hull provided with a passenger compartment, and an engine compartment forwardly of the passenger compartment, a pair of prime movers mounted in theengine compartment, paddle wheels at opposite sides of the passenger compartment there being one paddle wheel for each prime mover, a driving connection between each paddle wheel and its prime mover, said driving connection being disposed exteriorly of and at opposite sides of said passenger compartment, and channels in the bottom of the hull extending rearwardly from the passenger compartment in line with the paddle wheels.

GEORGE E. GRENIER. 

